In the Heart of the Desert:

Transcription

1 World Wisdom In the Heart of the Desert: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers In the Heart of the Desert: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, by Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis, brings to life the timeless message of the founders of Christian Monasticism. Seeking God through silence and prayer, these fourth and fifth century Christian ascetics still have much to teach us about the nature of the human soul. The words of spiritual counsel (Apophthegmata, from the original Greek), reflect the imprint of eternity and with the insightful commentary of Rev. John Chryssavgis, the ancient teachings of these early Fathers and Mothers are drawn into sharp focus and made more relevant for the contemporary reader. In the Heart of the Desert portrays several key figures of the early Christian monastic communities in the stark deserts of Egypt and Syria. This book, unlike many earlier studies, also includes one of the Desert Mothers, Amma Syncletica. In addition, for the first time in English, Rev. Dr. Chryssavgis offers a translation of the fifth-century text, the Reflections of Abba Zosimas, which played an important part in the development of the sayings of the Desert Fathers. The words of these early Christian monks have influenced the lives of numerous people over many centuries, from Saint Augustine to Thomas Merton, and continue to offer their compelling stories and ideas to people today. What is being said about In the Heart of the Desert? A beautiful and sensitive account of the lives and spirituality of the early Christian desert monastics. Chryssavgis treatment of these strange, compelling figures is marked by an uncommon depth of understanding; under his discerning gaze, the world of the desert monastics comes alive for the reader. What really distinguishes his treatment, though, is his compassion for these ancient figures, his ability to meet them as fellow human beings who, like us, find themselves caught up in a mysterious and challenging spiritual journey. Douglas Burton-Christie, Professor of Theology, Loyola Marymount University

2 The resolute honesty of an Ed Abbey, the prophetic freedom of a Wallace Stegner, the profound love of a Charles de Foucauld these were the qualities of the Desert Christians who thrived in Egypt and Palestine in the fourth, fifth and sixth centuries. I ve known for a long time that they are what I want to be when I grow up. This delightful book makes me more certain of that then ever. The sayings of Zosimas, here translated for the first time, are a wonderful addition to the English corpus of the Desert Christians. This is a spirituality for everyone who has ever gone through the desert (metaphorically at least), even if they ve never lived in it like the early Christian monks. It reveals a practice that sings, a way of living said Abba Serapion that makes us truly alive. Belden Lane, Professor of Theological Studies, St Louis University This book provides an accessible introduction to the sources themselves, with copious translations, a map, a time-line and bibliography. It also includes a translation into English of some material (The Reflections of Abba Zosimas) which has not been translated before. From his deep knowledge of the area, Chryssavgis has chosen to present them in a way which shows his pastoral concern, by using the first person plural to involve the reader throughout. Benedicta Ward SLG (from the foreword), Oxford University Which readers will be interested in this work? In the Heart of the Desert will appeal to a variety of readers: Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis insights into the first flowering of Christian monasticism will interest all students of Church history. His illuminating commentary clearly explains the relevance of the Desert Fathers and Mothers for all spiritual seekers, not only for Christian readers. The profound humanity of these early Christian monks provides comfort and insight to anyone who has experienced loneliness and loss, whether physical or emotional. Their words transmitted from soul to soul are by turns inspiring, full of sorrow, uplifting and painfully honest. Above all, they speak to our common humanity and the fundamental importance of opening the soul to God. Students of Comparative Religion and Mysticism will find enlightening parallels between these writings and the teachings of such diverse traditions as Sufism, Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and Vedanta. Additional publication information In the Heart of the Desert also contains an astute foreword by Sr. Benedicta Ward, editor of the acclaimed collection Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection (Cistercian Publications, 1975), and a noted expert in this fascinating area of Christian history and ageless wisdom. In the Heart of the Desert has an expected publication date of Spring 2003 and a price of $ Visit the Press Room at for more information.

3 World Wisdom About the Author of In the Heart of the Desert: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis John Chryssavgis is Professor of Theology and former Dean at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts. He received his degree in Theology from the University of Athens (1980) and completed his doctoral studies in Patristic Theology at Oxford University (1983), where his studies focused on ascetic theology and the spirituality of the early Church, especially from the desert tradition of Egypt through to the regions of Palestine and Sinai. In the Heart of the Desert represents the culmination of twenty years of academic study. During his service of the Orthodox Church in Australia, he cofounded St. Andrew s Theological College in Sydney, where he was Sub-Dean and taught Patristics and Church History. Rev. Dr. Chryssavgis also acts as theological advisor to the Patriarchal Commission on Religion and Science (Ecumenical Patriarchate), which focuses on the environment. He is the prolific author of numerous books and articles on the early Church fathers and Orthodox spirituality. Praise for Rev. Dr. Chryssavgis Chryssavgis writes with grace and irenic wisdom out of his profound knowledge of the Eastern Fathers - Colloquium Theological Journal Fr. John Chryssavgis has a real gift for conveying the essence of Patristic tradition in ways we very much long to hear today. - Prof. John Breck, St. Sergius Theological Institute, Paris Fr. John Chryssavgis has an unusual quality for a theologian. He has both a deep appreciation of the human condition and an understanding of the social context of the present time in which the theologian is destined to reflect. At the same time, he has the knowledge of the patristic scholar and the capacity to listen to ancient texts with the sensitivity of someone who has understood hermeneutics. - Ron Perry, Sydney Institute of Counseling

4 About the foreword by Sr. Benedicta Ward Benedicta Ward was born in 1933 in County Durham, England. She graduated from the University of Manchester (1955) with a degree in History. Since that time, she has been a member of the Community of Sisters of the Love of God, an Anglican community whose mother house is in Oxford. Currently Reader in History of Christian Spirituality at Oxford University, Sr. Benedicta is well know for her translation, among other early monastic texts, of The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Mowbrays-Cistercian Publications: 1975) and The Wisdom of the Desert Fathers (SLG Press: 1975). Her foreword to In the Heart of the Desert is notable for the moving picture it paints of the historical and human setting of the rigorous, austere, and God-centered lives of those early seekers in the desert, and adds very useful background for those readers who previously knew little about the history of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. Sr. Benedicta s other publications include: The World of the Desert Fathers (Fairacres Press, 1986); Harlots of the Desert: A Study of Repentance in Early Monastic Sources (Cistercian Publications Inc, 1987); The Venerable Bede (Cistercian Publications Inc, 1998); and High King of Heaven: Aspects of Early English Spirituality, (Cistercian Publications Inc, 1999). Visit the Press Room at for more information.

5 World Wisdom Praise for other books by Rev. Dr. Chryssavgis Ascent to Heaven Ascent to Heaven examines the transfiguration of real humans into their natural holiness, according to the classic work of St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. A truly excellent survey of one of the most seminal classics in the history of the Eastern Christian spirituality, the Ladder of St. John Climacus. - Prof. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury Beyond the Shattered Image: Orthodox Prospective on the Environment Beyond the Shattered Image presents the full ecological significance of the Orthodox Christian worldview. It explores the deepest sense and experience of the world as a sacrament. Some of the most beautiful and powerful theological thinking, with imagery that suggests a richness beyond expression. - Barbara Smith-Moran, Center for Faith and Science Exchange, Boston Chryssavgis has established himself as the theological heir to Philip Sherrard in the field of Orthodox environmental theology. He writes with the same authority and passion, the same clarity and felicity of expression, but in a more irenic and open manner. - Touchstone Magazine Profoundly spiritual, this book offers a lyrical portrayal of creation as reflected in the Christian classics of the East. - Prof. Charles Birch, University of Sydney The Desert is Alive: Dimensions of Australian Spirituality The Desert is Alive details the various dimensions of Australian spirituality and explores the possibility of self-examination in desert conditions. I commend this book to anyone who, like me is pressured by the world to be constantly busy and content with superficiality. I need it to remind me that intimacy is more important than tolerance. - Sir Ronald Wilson

6 Love, Sexuality, and the Sacrament of Marriage Love, Sexuality and the Sacrament of Marriage offers two essays on the nature of love, sexuality and marriage written from an Orthodox Christian perspective, supported by a collection of excerpts from scholars of the Orthodox tradition from throughout the ages. Fr. John Chryssavgis is well known as a deeply knowledgeable and sensitive interpreter of Orthodox ascetic and mystical writings. Here he turns his insight and pastoral experience to the subject of passionate love (Eros) as it reflects, in marriage as in celibacy, the all-consuming love of God for human persons. - Prof. John Breck, St. Sergius Theological Institute, Paris Repentance and Confession Repentance and Confession studies the practice of repentance within the church. It is supported by a collection of writings on that same theme by writers spanning the centuries of the Orthodox tradition. It also offers a translation of the Service of Confession from the Orthodox Church. Only praise and appreciation for this work, concisely and beautifully illuminating for readers of all traditions. - Australian Journal of Liturgy Soul Mending: The Art of Spiritual Direction Soul Mending: The Art of Spiritual Direction is a series of essays that examine the nature and experience of spiritual direction and pastoral care in the Orthodox tradition. I admire the author s courage (and) his non-judgmental stance. I have found my own spiritual imagination enlarged by reading these pages. - Bishop Kallistos Ware, Oxford University The Ways of the Fathers: Exploring the Patristic Mind The Ways of the Fathers: Exploring the Patristic Mind takes a detail look at the work of The early Church Fathers. Their writings contributed to the formation of doctrine, combating heresy, and helped to form the minds of early Christians. Theological profundity is what marks the book as a whole. All people could do with digesting a work of such richness as this. - Dr. R.C Hill, University of Sydney Visit the Press Room at for more information.